Funding Alert Vol. 25 No. 8 Alert # 2 - August 12, 2014

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Funding News and Grant Tips

EMS Local Projects Grants RFP is now open. See details in ‘Public Funding Opportunities’ below!

HRSA to Award $50 Million-plus to Link Health Training, Welfare RecipientsThe Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) predicts it will issue a funding notice for the Health Profession Opportunity Grants to Serve TANF Recipients and Other Low-Income Individuals program.Under the RFP, cooperative agreements support demonstration projects that are designed to provide eligible individuals with the opportunity to obtain education and training for occupations in the health care field that pay well and are expected to either experience labor shortages or be in high demand. In addition to providing education and training services, funds for this project may be used for child care, case management, and other supportive services as appropriate.Officials hope to award up to 35 grants totaling $53 million, with awards ranging from $600,000 to $3 million. Grants will go to states, nonprofits, Indian tribes, colleges, and universities.The RFP will not be issued until final FY 2015 funding is determined. From Community Health Funding Report email, 8/4/14

Study Shows Environmental Groups Lack Staff DiversityA new study conducted by a University of Michigan researcher has found that minorities and people of color are underrepresented on the staffs of environmental organizations.Commissioned by Green 2.0, a working group focused on addressing diversity challenges in the environmental movement, the report "The State of Diversity in Environmental Organizations" by Dorceta E. Taylor, found that people of color make up about 38 percent of the U.S. population but account for only 12 percent to 15.5 percent of the staffs of environmentally focused foundations, nonprofits, and government agencies. What's more, none of the largest environmental organizations has a person of color as president, vice president, or associate/assistant director. In addition, while progress has been made in the area of gender diversity, 70 percent of the presidents and board chairs of conservation/preservation organizations are male — a number that jumps to 90 percent when the sample is narrowed to organizations with budgets of at least $1 million.Environmental organizations responding to the survey attributed the lack of staff diversity to a shortage of open positions and qualified applicants. "We believe this report is critically needed and very timely," said Trip Van Noppen, president of Earth Justice, which works in the area of environmental public interest law. "Our movement, and indeed our own organization, have a serious problem in that we don't yet reflect the rich diversity of our nation, or even the diversity of groups we represent in our work to protect the environment for all people."Taylor, for her part, isn't so sure. "The numbers don't lie," she said. "Even more troubling: although most of the survey respondents expressed an interest in bridging this diversity gap, they admit their organizations are unlikely to take the necessary steps to do so."From The Foundation Center's This Week in Philanthropy News Digest email, 8/5/14

Public Funding Opportunities

AHRQ Health Services Research Demonstration and Dissemination Grants (R18): PA-14-290SOURCE: Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ)APPLICATION DEADLINE: 9/25/14.$ AVAILABLE: $250,000 for an unnamed number of grants.ELIGIBILITY: * State governments.* Native American tribal governments (federally recognized and other than federally recognized).* County governments.* City or township governments.* Public and state controlled institutions of higher education.* Eligible agencies of the federal government.* Faith-based or community-based organizations.* Indian/Native American tribal governments (other than federally recognized).Foreign institutions non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. PURPOSE: The Research Demonstration and Dissemination Grant (R18) is an award made by AHRQ to an institution/organization to support a discrete, specified health services research project. The project will be performed by the named investigator and study team. The R18 research plan proposed by the applicant institution/organization must be related to the mission and priority research interests of AHRQ.CFDA: 93.226CONTACT: Please see URL for multiple contacts. For more information see http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=259842From U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Minority Health FYI: Weekly Health Resources email, 8/6/14Subject(s) medical research

EMS Local Projects Grants: RFP No.537-5-131490SOURCE: Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) on behalf of the Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Office of Emergency Medical Services Trauma Systems Coordination (OEMS/TS) APPLICATION DEADLINE: 9/17/14 at 2 pm.$ AVAILABLE: For Fiscal Year 2015, DSHS expects up to $1 million to be available to fund LPG contracts. DSHS will determine, in its sole discretion, the specific dollar amount awarded to each successful respondent depending upon the merit and scope of the respondent’s proposal and other best value considerations. ELIGIBILITY: Please see URL for multiple eligibility requirements.PURPOSE: DSHS is seeking proposals from respondents, who are DSHS licensed EMS providers, DSHS licensed first responder organizations, Regional EMS/Trauma Advisory Councils (RACs), DSHS approved EMS education organizations, and pre-hospital injury prevention organizations to enter into contracts to provide support and enhancement of pre-hospital Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and trauma care systems in Texas. The Local Projects Grant (LPG) program awards funds that serve to support and improve the development of the Texas Emergency Health Care System and increase the availability and quality of emergency pre-hospital health care.CFDA: noneCONTACT: Rosalyn Lazare-Payne, (512) 206-4784, email: Rosalyn.Lazare-Payne@hhsc.state.tx.us. For more information see http://esbd.cpa.state.tx.us/bid_show.cfm?bidid=113075From Office of Emergency Medical Services Trauma Systems Coordination Web site, accessed 8/7/14Subject(s) community health services, emergency medicine, fire & emergency response

School Wellness Policy: USDA-FNS-OPS-SWP-2014SOURCE: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Service (FNS)APPLICATION DEADLINE: 10/6/14.$ AVAILABLE: $1.7 million for one award.ELIGIBILITY: * Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education.* Public and state controlled institutions of higher education.* Private institutions of higher education.PURPOSE: USDA FNS hereby announces the availability of funds and opportunities to conduct comprehensive school wellness policy surveillance at multiple levels, including state- and school district-levels. The funds will support public or private, non-governmental research institutions (such as accredited institutions of higher education and/or nonprofit organizations) to enter into a cooperative agreement with USDA FNS for school wellness policy surveillance, research, and reporting that complement other national existing school wellness policy surveillance systems and assist the USDA in fulfilling its Congressional monitoring and surveillance mandate, as delineated in the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act (HHFKA). The purpose of this announcement, therefore, is to describe the new opportunity and solicit proposals to support these aims. CFDA: 10.597CONTACT: Gregory Walton, email: greg.walton@fns.usda.gov. For more information see http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/search-grants.html?keywords=school%20wellness%20policyFrom USDA/FNS email, 8/4/14Subject(s) health policy research, health promotion/wellness, school health

Private Funding Opportunities

American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine Invites Applications for CP ResearchSOURCE: American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine (AACPDM)APPLICATION DEADLINE: 8/27/14.$ AVAILABLE: Seed grants of up to $25,000. ELIGIBILITY: Any AACPDM member is eligible to apply.PURPOSE: The American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine promotes excellence in research for the benefit of persons with CP and other childhood-onset disabilities. To support this mission, AACPDM, with support from the Pedal-With-Pete Foundation, is inviting applications for seed funding grants.Through its Pedal-With-Pete awards program, the academy will award seed grants for the development of a high-quality clinical research project/program. The award is expected to stimulate a competitive interdisciplinary multi-investigator/center grant proposal for submission to larger agencies/funders of research in any area relevant to AACPDM. The grant may be used to fund any of the elements necessary to develop the full proposal, including teleconferences and meetings of the collaborating team of investigators to plan and develop the research protocol; methodologic/statistical support or consultation; preparation of applications for institutional ethics approval; support for investigators’ time; a pilot project/feasibility study in preparation for the multi-center project; and validation of outcome measures. CONTACT: noneFrom The Foundation Center's Philanthropy News Digest RFP Bulletin email, 8/1/14Subject(s) medical research

American Optometric Foundation Seeks Applications for Glaucoma Research ProjectsSOURCE: American Optometric Foundation APPLICATION DEADLINE: 9/1/14.$ AVAILABLE: One $60,000 grant. In addition, a $750 travel grant will be provided for the principal investigator and up to three co-investigators on the project to attend Academy 2015 New Orleans, the annual conference of the AAO.ELIGIBILITY: The award is open to all faculty and researchers in optometry and vision science.PURPOSE: The American Optometric Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO), is inviting applications for research projects related to glaucoma and the anterior segment.Through the Allergan Foundation Research Grant program, one grant will be awarded to support talented optometry and vision science faculty and investigators in innovative research in the area of glaucoma or the anterior segment.CONTACT: Tracy Kitts, (321) 710-3936, email: AOF@aaoptom.org. For more information see http://www.aaopt.org/AOF/Programs/Faculty/AllerganFrom The Foundation Center's Philanthropy News Digest RFP Bulletin email, 7/25/14Subject(s) medical research

Angelman Syndrome Foundation Announces $1 Million RFP for Angelman Syndrome ResearchSOURCE: Angelman Syndrome Foundation (ASF)APPLICATION DEADLINE: 10/15/14.$ AVAILABLE: One- or two-year grants of up to $100,000 per year. ELIGIBILITY: Researchers from all countries are encouraged to apply.PURPOSE: The Angelman Syndrome Foundation's mission is to advance the awareness and treatment of Angelman Syndrome (AS) through education and information, research, and support for individuals with AS, their families, and other concerned parties. To date, the foundation has invested more than $6 million in AS research, supporting seventy-eight projects worldwide.ASF has issued a $1 million Request for Proposals for new AS-related research projects. One- or two-year grants of up to $100,000 per year will be awarded to promising preclinical, translational, or clinical research projects that investigate any aspect of AS. Priority will be given to pilot projects to test new ideas about AS pathogenesis and therapeutics.CONTACT: Dan Harvey, email: research@angelman.org. For more information see http://www.angelman.org/research/1-million-for-angelman-syndrome-research/From The Foundation Center's Philanthropy News Digest RFP Bulletin email, 8/1/14Subject(s) medical research

ARVO Foundation Invites Applications for Genentech Age-Related Macular Degeneration Research FellowshipsSOURCE: ARVO (Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology) FoundationAPPLICATION DEADLINE: 9/30/14.$ AVAILABLE: One $40,000 grant will be awarded to a researcher working in basic research in the understanding of AMD and another $40,000 grant will be awarded to a researcher working in translational AMD research focusing on therapeutics.ELIGIBILITY: Fellowships are available to newly established investigators age 45 or younger as of the application deadline and have received their M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent degree after June 2004. While ARVO membership is not necessary, applicants must currently be working in nonprofit or academic research centers to qualify.PURPOSE: The ARVO Foundation for Eye Research, the philanthropic arm of the Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, is inviting applications for two Genentech Age-Related Macular Degeneration Research Fellowships to support research about age-related macular degeneration.CONTACT: Please see URL for contact information. For more information see http://www.arvo.org/foundation/AMD/From The Foundation Center's Philanthropy News Digest RFP Bulletin email, 7/25/14Subject(s) medical research

ARVO Foundation for Eye Research Invites Applications for Contact Lens Research FellowshipSOURCE: ARVO (Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology) FoundationAPPLICATION DEADLINE: 9/30/14.$ AVAILABLE: With support from contact lens manufacturer Vistakon, the foundation will award one $40,000 grant to support a 12-month research project led by a junior investigator.ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible, applicants must serve as the principal investigator of the project and hold an M.D., Ph.D., D.V.M., D.O., O.D., or equivalent degree. In addition, applicants must currently be working at a nonprofit or academic research center. Applicants are not required to be ARVO members.PURPOSE: The ARVO Foundation for Eye Research was established in 2001 to ensure stable support for innovative and novel vision research, particularly work with translational impact that fosters collaboration between clinicians and basic scientists. The foundation also encourages the development of new scientists in the field of vision research, as well as researchers in developing countries.To that end, the foundation is accepting applications for its 2015 Vistakon Contact Lens Research Fellowship, an annual program designed to highlight basic research in the area of contact lenses, including lens care and cleaning requirements to prevent infections. CONTACT: Please see URL for contact information. For more information see http://www.arvo.org/foundation/Awards_and_Grants/Vistakon_Contact_Lens_Research_Fellowship/From The Foundation Center's Philanthropy News Digest RFP Bulletin email, 7/25/14Subject(s) medical research

Congenital Heart Defects (CHD) Research GrantSOURCE: Saving Tiny Hearts Society (StHS)APPLICATION DEADLINE: 9/26/14.$ AVAILABLE: A single-year grant shall not exceed $75,000 in direct costs. Indirect costs are not allowed.Grants will only be made in one year commitments. Applicants requesting more than one year of funding will be returned.ELIGIBILITY: The PI must hold a faculty position at the time of grant award. Priority will be given to well-designed hypothesis driven research that will impact the lives of children and adults with congenital heart disease.PURPOSE: The Saving tiny Hearts Society’s mission is to raise seed money for grossly under-funded, lifesaving grass roots research of congenital heart defects (CHD's). This seed funding acts as a bridge for this research to millions of dollars of extramural funding from the National Institute of Health (NIH) or other outside funding. CHD's are the #1 birth defect worldwide affecting over 1,000,000 babies every year.CONTACT: Loren E. Wold, email: wold.5@osu.edu.From U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Minority Health FYI: Weekly Health Resources email, 8/6/14Subject(s) cardiovascular/heart disease, children's health, medical research

Families of SMA Issues RFP for Research Projects on Spinal Muscular AtrophySOURCE: Families of SMA (Spinal Muscular Atrophy)APPLICATION DEADLINE: 9/5/14$ AVAILABLE: Grants of up to $150,000. ELIGIBILITY: To be considered, studies should focus on the molecular and biochemical mechanisms regulating SMN expression or mediating SMN function; result in greater understanding of the pathophysiology of SMA, using well-validated animal or cellular models; provide early proof-of concept assessment of novel therapeutic approaches for SMA in well-validated animal or cellular models; and/or focus on generating research and clinical trial tools, such as new animal models for SMA, phenotypic cellular assays for SMA, biomarkers or outcome measures for SMA clinical trials, newborn screening protocols, and others.PURPOSE: Families of SMA funds and directs research programs that seek to develop a treatment and cure for Spinal Muscular Atrophy disease, a hereditary disease that cause weakness and wasting of the voluntary muscles in the arms and legs of infants and children. To date, the charity has invested over $55 million in research and has been involved in funding almost two-thirds of all ongoing novel drug programs for this disease. Families of SMA has issued a Request for Proposals for research projects designed to advance current understanding of Spinal Muscular Atrophy disease. Grants will be awarded for novel research related to SMA disease pathology at the molecular, cellular, and biochemical level; generate key reagents and tools to facilitate drug development and clinical trials; and identify new therapeutic strategies for SMA.CONTACT: Please see URL for contact information. For more information see http://www.fsma.org/Researchers/BasicResearchFundingOpportunities/From The Foundation Center's Philanthropy News Digest RFP Bulletin email, 7/25/14Subject(s) medical research

Michael J. Fox Foundation Accepting Pre-Proposals for Target Validation ProgramSOURCE: Michael J. Fox FoundationAPPLICATION DEADLINE: Pre-proposals must be received no later than 10/29/14. Selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals on 11/19/14, with proposals due on 1/14/15.$ AVAILABLE: The program supports two-year grants of up to $250,000 inclusive of both direct and indirect costs. No more than 25 percent (academic institutions) or 10 percent (for profit organizations) of the direct costs may go to indirect costs.ELIGIBILITY: Nonprofit, for profit, and public entities. PURPOSE: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, which seeks to stimulate the development of Parkinson's disease therapeutics, is accepting pre-proposals for the spring 2015 cycle of its Target Validation program.Part of the foundation's annual Edmond J. Safra Core Programs for PD Research, the Target Validation program supports efforts by nonprofit, for-profit, and public entities to determine whether manipulating a novel biological target provides a disease-relevant beneficial outcome in a whole-animal mammalian model of PD. The target should be clearly defined (e.g., a specific gene or structural/functional feature of a protein), and applicants may propose a variety of methods to manipulate the target, including but not limited to use of pharmacological tools or biologic strategies. Applicants also may propose use of previously established genetically engineered animal models assessed for PD-relevant features or sensitivity to PD-associated factors.CONTACT: Michael J. Fox Foundation, (800) 708-7644. For more information see https://www.michaeljfox.org/research/grant-detail.php?id=16From The Foundation Center's Philanthropy News Digest RFP Bulletin email, 7/25/14Subject(s) medical research

Reeve Foundation Quality of Life Grants SOURCE: Christopher & Dana Reeve FoundationAPPLICATION DEADLINE: 8/15/14 and 2/15/15.$ AVAILABLE: Grants up to $25,000.ELIGIBILITY: Applications are welcome from nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status, municipal and state governments, school districts, recognized tribal entities and other institutions such as community or veterans hospitals. Grants are awarded to organizations that address the needs of people living with paralysis caused by spinal cord and other injuries, diseases or birth conditions, including (but not limited to) stroke, spina bifida, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).PURPOSE: The Reeve Foundation awards Quality of Life grants to organizations that provide services to individuals with paralysis.Quality of Life grants, conceived by the late Dana Reeve, are awarded to programs or projects that improve the daily lives of people with paralysis, with some emphasis on but not limited to paralysis caused by spinal cord injuries. She started the Quality of Life grants program to recognize and support organizations that help disabled individuals, their families and caregivers in ways that increase independence, day-to-day happiness, and access.Funding is awarded twice yearly to nonprofit organizations that provide critical life-enhancing and life-changing programs and services that improve physical and emotional health. Funded projects offer a diversity of services and approaches: improving access; providing education and job training; sponsoring organized sporting opportunities; and more to individuals living with paralysis and their communities.CONTACT: Quality of Life Department at email: QoL@ChristopherReeve.org or dvalente@ChristopherReeve.org or call (800) 539-7309. For more information see http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.ddJFKRNoFiG/b.4435149/k.A6F7/Program_Overview.htmFrom U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Minority Health FYI: Weekly Health Resources email, 8/6/14Subject(s) health care services

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Accepting Nominations for 2015 Dickson Prize in MedicineSOURCE: University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine APPLICATION DEADLINE: 10/6/14.$ AVAILABLE: The winner of the 2015 Dickson Prize in Medicine will receive a $50,000 cash prize, a medallion, and an invitation to present the opening plenary lecture during the University of Pittsburgh’s annual showcase of science and research in the fall of 2015.ELIGIBILITY: The recipient must be a United States citizen.PURPOSE: The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is inviting nominations for the 2015 Dickson Prize in Medicine. Established in 1971, the prize is awarded annually to an American biomedical researcher who has made significant, progressive contributions to medicine.Nominees should be actively engaged in innovative, paradigm-shifting biomedical research that is worthy of significant and broad attention. The prize is specifically designed to honor a researcher whose career is at an especially productive point currently and whose research is -- or will be -- so influential that it deserves major recognition now.CONTACT: Questions may be directed to (412) 383-7382 or email: pittsom@pitt.edu. For more information see http://www.dicksonprize.pitt.edu/nomination/From The Foundation Center's Philanthropy News Digest RFP Bulletin email, 8/1/14Subject(s) medical research

Events

Fundamentals of Foundation Grant Writing: An Instructor-Guided Online CourseSPONSOR: Thompson eLearningWHEN: Starts September 2 with eight lessons throughout a four-month period.WHERE: Your home or office.DESCRIPTION: The Fundamentals of Foundation Grant Writing is a four-month, instructor-guided online course designed to teach students how to write a standard foundation grant proposal. The lessons learned from this course can be applied to any professional field — education, health care, social services, environment, faith-based, and governmental agencies.As part of the course, students will select a project of their choice and write a three-to-five page grant proposal for the benefit of their nonprofit or public organization. They will be guided through the development of their proposals section-by-section, providing and receiving feedback from fellow classmates and the course instructor every step of the way.For a course description go to http://insight.thompson.com/eLearning.09.02.2014. To register go to http://www.thompson.com/public/basket.jspCOST: $995 before 8/15/14. $1,225 after 8/15/14.CONTACT: Call (800) 677-3789 with questions or to register. From Thompson eLearning email, 7/31/14

Lunch and Learn: Public SpeakingSPONSOR: San Antonio Area FoundationWHEN: August 20, 11:30 am to 1 pm.WHERE: San Antonio Area Foundation, 303 Pearl Parkway, Suite 114, (San Antonio, TX).DESCRIPTION: Participants will learn the elements of effective public speaking in an interactive and fun class. COST: $25 includes lunch.CONTACT: San Antonio Area Foundation, (210) 225-2243, email: info@saafdn.org.From San Antonio Area Foundation e-mail, 8/1/14

Expand your Leadership Toolkit SPONSOR: San Antonio Area FoundationWHEN: August 27, 9 am to noon.WHERE: San Antonio Area Foundation, 303 Pearl Parkway, Suite 114, (San Antonio, TX).DESCRIPTION: Not everyone is a born leader. Yet with genuine desire and a willingness to grow anyone can become an effective leader. And even those who are “born leaders” can always add to their toolkit. Great leaders are very nimble and able to change their approach, as the circumstance requires. They know “when” to use “what” tool – and they look for ways to expand their leadership toolkit to have a reliable and effective approach in any given situation. In this hands-on workshop you will: Learning Objectives: * Discover your primary leadership style and how that style creates the results you want, and perhaps sometimes works against you. * Expand your leadership style to include six approaches you can use depending on the circumstances.* Identify a current leadership challenge and create a plan for how you will approach it. COST: $60.CONTACT: San Antonio Area Foundation, (210) 225-2243, email: info@saafdn.org.From San Antonio Area Foundation e-mail, 8/1/14

To Be or Not To Be a 501(c)(3)SPONSOR: San Antonio Area FoundationWHEN: August 28, noon to 2 pm.WHERE: San Antonio Area Foundation, 303 Pearl Parkway, Suite 114, (San Antonio, TX).DESCRIPTION: Individuals see needs within their communities, and they decide to start a tax-exempt organization to deliver programs and services to meet those needs. This workshop will cover the basic research needed to start a nonprofit, the required organizational documents, and a review of the IRS Form 990.COST: $25.CONTACT: San Antonio Area Foundation, (210) 225-2243, email: info@saafdn.org.From San Antonio Area Foundation e-mail, 8/1/14